Condensate Evaporation Device Having Evaporation Coil

ABSTRACT

A condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator is provided. The device comprises a container, a heat exchanger, a chamber, a suction pump, a condensate spraying device, an evaporation coil, and a blower. The suction pump is for sucking up the condensate from the container. The condensate spraying device is for spraying the condensate sucked up by the suction pump within the chamber. The evaporation coil is disposed around the condensate spraying device such that the condensate from the suction pump lands on an inner surface of the evaporation coil and evaporates the condensate. The blower is for inducing air flow within the chamber, whereby the evaporated condensate is exhausted from the chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator. More particularly, this invention relates to a condensate evaporation device that is compact in size and efficient in evaporation by combining heat exchange, air flow and dispersion of condensate in the air flow.

A refrigerator cools down the temperature of a storage space. Condensate is generated when the air is cooled down below the dew point and water vapor is condensed into water droplets. Water droplets are collected and the collected water, that is, the condensate is exhausted from the storage space. The condensate exhausted thereby is evaporated rather than discharged into the sewer because of regulatory reasons that require costly processes for discharging condensate to the sewer.

In order to evaporate the condensate water, heat exchange requires large heat exchange area, and bulky evaporation devices were used to meet the evaporation capacity.

The space requirement for refrigerators for commercial use has continued to become more severe. For a given size of a refrigerator, the storage space is requested to be maximized in order to maximize the goods display space, which means less space is reserved for functional parts of a refrigerator including a condensate evaporation device.

Accordingly, a need for a more efficient and more compact condensate evaporation device for refrigerators has been present for a long time considering the tendency of growing in capacity of refrigerator. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a compact condensate evaporation device for a commercial refrigerator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a condensate evaporation device that is highly efficient in heat exchange.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a condensate evaporation device, in which the condensate is evaporated away efficiently.

An aspect of the invention provides a condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a storage space that is cooled by refrigerant, and a compressor that compresses the refrigerant.

The device comprises a container, a heat exchanger, a chamber, a suction pump, a condensate spraying device, an evaporation coil, and a blower.

The container includes a pan for containing condensate from the storage space.

The heat exchanger is for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the condensate.

The chamber is disposed above the container.

The suction pump is for sucking up the condensate from the container.

The condensate spraying device is for spraying the condensate sucked up by the suction pump within the chamber.

The evaporation coil is disposed around the condensate spraying device such that the condensate from the suction pump lands on an inner surface of the evaporation coil and evaporates the condensate.

The blower is for inducing air flow within the chamber, whereby the evaporated condensate is exhausted from the chamber.

The evaporation coil may form a cylindrical shape with a hollow space.

The condensate spraying device may be partially enclosed by the evaporation coil such that the sprayed condensate lands on an inner surface of the cylindrical evaporation coil.

The evaporation coil may be powered to be thermally hot so as to facilitate evaporation of the condensate touching the evaporation coil.

The evaporation coil may comprise an electrical wire with a high resistance and a circular shape of cross-section.

Alternatively, the evaporation coil may comprise an electrical wire with a high resistance and an oblong shape of cross-section.

Still alternatively, the evaporation coil may comprise an electrical wire with a high resistance and a rectangular shape of cross-section. A long side of the rectangular shape of cross-section of the electrical wire may be aligned with an axis of the cylindrical shape of the evaporation coil.

The chamber may comprise one or more meshed walls disposed around the evaporation coil. The meshed walls may be configured and disposed, such that the condensate spattered from the evaporation coil lands on the meshed walls.

The one or more meshed walls may be configured to anchor the evaporation coil onto a shelf plate provided horizontally engaging the one or more meshed walls.

The chamber may include one or more air vents that allow air flow into or out of the chamber.

The condensate spraying device may comprise a condensate sprayer cone and a condensate sprayer plate. The sprayer cone may be hollow and comprise a flow-in opening near the apex of the sprayer cone, and a flow-out opening at the base of the sprayer cone. The condensate sprayer plate may be fixed to the condensate sprayer cone at the base of the sprayer cone.

The condensate spraying device may further comprise a motor that rotates the condensate sprayer plate and the condensate sprayer cone.

The condensate sprayer plate may comprise a plate disc and one or more projections that protrudes from the plate disc. The condensate sprayer cone may further comprise a flange at the base of the sprayer cone, and the projections abut the flange, whereby the condensate is sprayed through openings between the sprayer cone, the plate disc of the condensate sprayer plate and the projections of the condensate sprayer plate.

The suction pump may be disposed in the condensate sprayer cone.

The condensate evaporation device may further comprise a top cover configured to cover the chamber. The blower may be disposed in the top cover.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the condensate evaporation device is compact; (2) the condensate evaporation device effectively uses heat exchange between the hot compressed and liquefied refrigerant and the cold condensate; (3) the condensate evaporation device maximizes surface area of condensate that is contact with ambient air; (4) the condensate evaporation device uses the still cool exhaust air that contains evaporated condensate to cool down the hot compressor.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a refrigerator with a condensate evaporation device according to the present invention installed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view of a compressor and the condensate evaporation device positioned side by side;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view showing a condensate evaporation device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 b is an exploded view of the condensate evaporation device of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a condensate evaporation device according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a condensate evaporation device according to still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a condensate sprayer and a motor that rotates the condensate sprayer;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view showing a sprayer plate;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the sprayer plate;

FIG. 9 is a top view showing a sprayer cone; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sprayer cone taken along line X-X in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention provides a condensate evaporation device 10 for a refrigerator.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator 100 with the condensate evaporation device 10 installed.

The refrigerator 100 includes a storage space 12 that is cooled by refrigerant, and a compressor 14 that compresses the refrigerant.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show that the condensate evaporation device 10 includes a container 16 that is adapted to contain condensate that flows out of the storage space 12, which is guided into the container 16 through a condensate conduit 30, a heat exchange device 18 that is adapted to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate, a chamber 20 that is positioned above the container 16, a condensate spraying device 22 that is adapted to spray condensate within the chamber 20, and a blower 24 that induces air flow within the chamber 20, so that evaporated condensate is exhausted from the chamber 20. This heating greatly facilitates evaporation of condensate.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, and 4, the container 16 includes a pan 26. The heat exchange device 18 includes a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant pipe 28 is installed near the bottom of the pan 26 so that the refrigerant pipe 28 is immersed in the condensate 32. In this way, cold condensate is heated by the hot refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant pipe 28. The refrigerant is hot since it is compressed and liquefied state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chamber 20 includes one or more air vents 34, 36 that allow air flow into or out of the chamber 20. The air vents 34, 36 include a slanted wall. In FIG. 2, the air vent 34 includes a slanted wall 38 that protrudes outside of the chamber 20. FIG. 12 shows that the air vent 36 includes a slanted wall 40 that is recessed into the chamber 20. The slanted walls 38, 40 prevent the condensate from being sprayed outside the chamber 20.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the condensate spraying device 22 is adapted to suck condensate from condensate 32 contained in the container 16 and to spray the sucked condensate within the chamber 20.

The condensate spraying device 22 includes a condensate sprayer cone 40 and a condensate sprayer plate 42. As shown well in FIG. 10, the sprayer cone 40 is hollow and includes a flow-in opening 44 near the apex of the sprayer cone 40, and a flow-out opening 46 at the base of the sprayer cone 40. The condensate sprayer plate 42 is fixed to the condensate sprayer cone 40 at the base of the sprayer cone 40.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the condensate spraying device 22 further includes a motor 48 that rotates the condensate sprayer plate 42 and the condensate sprayer cone 40. The condensate moves upward inside the condensate sprayer cone 40 and then sprayed radially by centrifugal force as shown by arrows in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show that the condensate sprayer plate 42 includes a plate disc 50 and one or more projections 52 that protrudes from the plate disc 50. FIG. 6 shows that the condensate sprayer cone 40 further includes a flange 54 at the base of the sprayer cone 40. The projections 52 abut the flange 54, so that the condensate is sprayed through openings 70 between the sprayer cone 40, the plate disc 50 of the condensate sprayer plate 42 and the projections 52 of the condensate sprayer plate 42.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the chamber 20 includes one or more meshed walls 56. The condensate is sprayed onto the meshed walls 56. The meshed walls 56 include a rectangular meshed wall 58 that surrounds the condensate sprayer cone 40. Alternatively, the meshed walls 56 include a cylindrical meshed wall 58 that surrounds the condensate sprayer cone 40.

The meshed walls 56 further include a square or rectangular meshed wall 60 that meets with the cylindrical wall 58, and is positioned slightly above the base of the condensate sprayer cone 40. The meshed wall 60 and the wall 58 comprise two adjacent meshed plates 62 (refer to FIG. 5).

The meshed walls 56 hold the sprayed condensate while allowing air flow through their meshes. In this way, contact area of condensate that are exposed on air flow dramatically increases.

The condensate evaporation device further includes a condensate level sensor (not shown). The condensate level sensor is installed inside the pan 26 and detects the level of the condensate 32 inside the pan 26. The motor 48 of the condensate spraying device 22 and the blower 24 may be controlled to operate when the level of condensate 32 detected by the condensate level sensor is above a predetermined value.

A top cover 72 is provided to cover the entire condensate evaporation device 10 above the chamber 20.

In the refrigerator 100 in which the condensate evaporation device 10 is installed, the condensate evaporation device 10 is positioned adjacent the compressor 14, and air out of the chamber 20 is guided to the compressor 14. This facilitates cooling of refrigerant.

FIG. 5 shows that the chamber 20 includes a spray blocking wall 66, and an upper opening 68. The spray blocking wall 66 is positioned between the blower 24 and the condensate sprayer plate 42 so that condensate sprayed radially from the condensate spraying device 22 is not allowed to enter directly into the blower 24. The upper opening 68 is provided around the motor 48 of the condensate spraying device 42, and the circular meshed wall 60 is assembled adjacent to the upper opening 68.

The air flows into the chamber 20 through the air vents 34, 36 and flows out of the chamber 20 through the upper opening 68 and between the spray blocking wall 66 and the pan 26. The direction of air flow may be reversed according to the air flow direction induced by the blower 24.

The device 10 comprises a container 12, a heat exchanger 18, a chamber 20, a suction pump 41, a condensate spraying device 22, an evaporation coil 80, and a blower 24 as shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b.

The container 12 includes a pan 26 for containing condensate 32 from the storage space.

The heat exchanger 18 is for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the condensate 32.

The chamber 20 is disposed above the container 16.

The suction pump 41 is for sucking up the condensate 32 from the container 16.

The condensate spraying device 22 is for spraying the condensate 32 sucked up by the suction pump 41 within the chamber 16.

The evaporation coil 80 is disposed around the condensate spraying device 22 such that the condensate 32 from the suction pump 41 lands on an inner surface of the evaporation coil 80 and evaporates the condensate 32.

The blower 24 is for inducing air flow within the chamber 20, whereby the evaporated condensate is exhausted from the chamber 20.

The evaporation coil 80 may form a cylindrical shape with a hollow space. In certain embodiments, the evaporation coil 80 may take any shape as long as it has a hollow space in it and can catch the sprayed condensate 32 on its inside. The evaporation coil 80 may be configured to catch substantial amount of the sprayed condensate 32.

The condensate spraying device 22 may be partially enclosed by the evaporation coil 80 such that the sprayed condensate lands on an inner surface of the evaporation coil.

The evaporation coil 80 may be powered to be thermally hot so as to facilitate evaporation of the condensate 32 touching the evaporation coil 80.

The evaporation coil 80 may comprise an electrical wire with a high resistance and a circular or other shape of cross-section.

Alternatively, the evaporation coil 80 may comprise an electrical wire with a high resistance and an oblong shape of cross-section.

Still alternatively, the evaporation coil 80 may comprise an electrical wire with a high resistance and a rectangular shape of cross-section. A long side of the rectangular shape of cross-section of the electrical wire may be aligned with an axis of the cylindrical shape of the evaporation coil 80.

The chamber may comprise one or more meshed walls 56 disposed around the evaporation coil 80. The meshed walls 56 may be configured and disposed, such that the condensate 32 spattered from the evaporation coil 80 lands on the meshed walls 56. Therefore, even though the evaporation coil 80 could not catch but allowed to spatter outside of the evaporation coil 80, the condensate 32 can still be caught by the meshed wall 56.

The one or more meshed walls 56 may be configured to anchor the evaporation coil 80 onto a shelf plate 82 provided horizontally engaging the one or more meshed walls 56.

The chamber 20 may include one or more air vents 34 that allow air flow into or out of the chamber 20.

The condensate spraying device 22 may comprise a condensate sprayer cone 40 and a condensate sprayer plate 42. The sprayer cone 40 may be hollow and comprise a flow-in opening 44 near the apex of the sprayer cone 40, and a flow-out opening 46 at the base of the sprayer cone 40. The condensate sprayer plate 42 may be fixed to the condensate sprayer cone 40 at the base of the sprayer cone 40.

The condensate spraying device 10 may further comprise a motor 48 that rotates the condensate sprayer plate 42 and the condensate sprayer cone 40.

The condensate sprayer plate 42 may comprise a plate disc 50 and one or more projections 52 that protrudes from the plate disc 50. The condensate sprayer cone 40 may further comprise a flange 54 at the base of the sprayer cone 40, and the projections abut the flange 54, whereby the condensate 32 is sprayed through openings between the sprayer cone 40, the plate disc 50 of the condensate sprayer plate 42 and the projections 52 of the condensate sprayer plate 42.

The suction pump 41 may be disposed in the condensate sprayer cone 40.

The condensate evaporation device 10 may further comprise a top cover 72 configured to cover the chamber 20. The blower 24 may be disposed in the top cover 72.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the condensate spraying device 10 may further comprise a sprayer 90 disposed along the flange 54 as shown in FIG. 3 b. The sprayer 90 sprays the condensate from the condensate sprayer cone 40 evenly over the evaporation coil 80 to facilitate the evaporation. At the same time, the sprayer 90 helps the condensate to cool down.

The motor 48 may be supported by a bracket 92 as shown in FIG. 3 b. The bracket 92 may be configured to perform a splash guide for preventing the sprayed condensate from being spattered further out.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. A condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator includes a storage space that is cooled by refrigerant, and a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, the device comprising: a container with a pan for containing condensate from the storage space; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the condensate; a chamber disposed above the container; a suction pump for sucking up the condensate from the container; a condensate spraying device for spraying the condensate sucked up by the suction pump within the chamber; an evaporation coil disposed around the condensate spraying device such that the condensate from the suction pump lands on an inner surface of the evaporation coil and evaporates the condensate; and a blower for inducing air flow within the chamber, whereby the evaporated condensate is exhausted from the chamber.
 2. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the evaporation coil forms a cylindrical shape with a hollow space.
 3. The condensate evaporation device of claim 2, wherein the condensate spraying device is partially enclosed by the evaporation coil such that the sprayed condensate lands on an inner surface of the cylindrical evaporation coil.
 4. The condensate evaporation device of claim 3, wherein the evaporation coil is powered to be thermally hot so as to facilitate evaporation of the condensate touching the evaporation coil.
 5. The condensate evaporation device of claim 3, wherein the evaporation coil comprises an electrical wire with a high resistance and a circular shape of cross-section.
 6. The condensate evaporation device of claim 3, wherein the evaporation coil comprises an electrical wire with a high resistance and an oblong shape of cross-section.
 7. The condensate evaporation device of claim 3, wherein the evaporation coil comprises an electrical wire with a high resistance and a rectangular shape of cross-section.
 8. The condensate evaporation device of claim 7, wherein a long side of the rectangular shape of cross-section of the electrical wire is aligned with an axis of the cylindrical shape of the evaporation coil.
 9. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises one or more meshed walls disposed around the evaporation coil.
 10. The condensate evaporation device of claim 9, wherein the meshed walls is configured and disposed, such that the condensate spattered from the evaporation coil lands on the meshed walls.
 11. The condensate evaporation device of claim 10, wherein the one or more meshed walls are configured to anchor the evaporation coil onto a shelf plate provided horizontally engaging the one or more meshed walls.
 12. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes one or more air vents that allow air flow into or out of the chamber.
 13. The condensate evaporation device of claim 12, wherein the condensate spraying device comprises a condensate sprayer cone and a condensate sprayer plate, wherein the sprayer cone is hollow and comprises a flow-in opening near the apex of the sprayer cone, and a flow-out opening at the base of the sprayer cone, wherein the condensate sprayer plate is fixed to the condensate sprayer cone at the base of the sprayer cone.
 14. The condensate evaporation device of claim 13, wherein the condensate spraying device further comprises a motor that rotates the condensate sprayer plate and the condensate sprayer cone.
 15. The condensate evaporation device of claim 13, wherein the condensate sprayer plate comprises a plate disc and one or more projections that protrudes from the plate disc, wherein the condensate sprayer cone further comprises a flange at the base of the sprayer cone, wherein the projections abut the flange, whereby the condensate is sprayed through openings between the sprayer cone, the plate disc of the condensate sprayer plate and the projections of the condensate sprayer plate.
 16. The condensate evaporation device of claim 13, wherein the suction pump is disposed in the condensate sprayer cone.
 17. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, further comprises a top cover configured to cover the chamber.
 18. The condensate evaporation device of claim 17, wherein the blower is disposed in the top cover. 